Thriving Communities, Healthy Landscapes
We're helping more than two million farmers embrace more sustainable growing practices that can help build resilience to climate change and boost yields.
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What's at Stake
Across the tropics, farming and forest communities face a daily struggle to cover life’s basic needs. Breaking the cycle of rural poverty—and tackling the ensuing impacts for people and nature—is critical for a more sustainable future for us all.
RURAL POVERTY, DEFORESTATION, AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Rural poverty is at the root of many of our most pressing global challenges, from child labor and poor working conditions to deforestation for agricultural expansion. Economic desperation exacerbates these complex issues, which are deeply embedded in global supply chains. The result is a vicious cycle of environmental destruction and human suffering.
Our Impact
Our work to cultivate rural prosperity brings real, measurable benefits for farmers, forest communities and Indigenous peoples around the world.
Building a sustainable forest economy
US$69.7 million
earned by our Maya Biosphere Reserve community partners from 2013-2021*
The Rainforest Alliance has been working with the community forestry concessions in Guatemala’s Maya Biosphere Reserve since 1999—helping to develop thriving forest enterprises based on the responsible harvesting and processing of non-timber forest products (such as nuts and palm fronds), in addition to timber for export, according to the rigorous standard of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
*2013-2021 earnings from 100+ small and medium-sized forest-based businesses in the community concessions of Guatemala’s Maya Biosphere Reserve.
Improving farmer incomes
40% higher cocoa income
on West African small-scale certified farms*
In 70 countries, farmers are trained in more sustainable practices that boost climate resilience, conserve biodiversity, and promote worker wellbeing—while also helping to increase productivity and improve their incomes. Learn more
*Three studies published in 2018-2020 reveal that income from cocoa production is 40% higher on average on Rainforest Alliance and UTZ Certified farms in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, compared to non-certified farms:
Our Work: Livelihoods
The Rainforest Alliance partners with frontline communities to build thriving rural economies rooted in more sustainable growing practices and forest stewardship. We also promote responsible business practices to ensure that companies recognize and reward sustainability transformation—in the field as well as the boardroom.
Our Work to Improve Rural Livelihoods
To improve rural livelihoods, we foster deep collaboration between farmers, civil society organizations, companies, and governments.
Our Work with the Global Living Wage Coalition
The Rainforest Alliance believes that workers around the world should be paid enough money to provide a decent life for themselves and their families.
Innovative Ways to Enhance Living Income for Cocoa Farmers
At the Rainforest Alliance, we believe in a shared responsibility approach that encourages companies to do their part in ensuring a living income for farmers. This is the basis of our initiatives, the Living Income Module and the Living Income Fund.
All resources for Livelihoods
Living Income Position Paper
The Rainforest Alliance’s vision is a world in which people and nature thrive in harmony. Critical to achieving this is ensuring that agricultural farmers, workers, and communities are able to achieve a decent and sustainable livelihood for themselves and their families.
Living Income: Moving from Measurement to Action
As founding members of the Living Income Community of Practice, we’re committed to finding solutions to address the living wage gap.... Continue Reading
The Future of Farming Begins with Young Farmers in Kenya
Future Farmers begins with a one-acre demo farm in Kagio, Kenya, where everything is an opportunity for experimentation and growth.... Continue Reading
Heart, Soul, and Chocolate: Meet Bali’s Champion for Cocoa Policy Reform
Agung Widi has had great impact on Indonesia's cocoa policy through her foundation Kalimanjari. She shows us how advocacy can be a deeply personal and inclusive process.... Continue Reading
Protecting Workers, Farmers, and Foresters From Forced Labor and Modern Slavery
There is no place in either sustainable agriculture or responsible business for human rights abuses such as forced labor. This position paper first presents how the Rainforest Alliance defines forced labor and what we see as the root causes of forced labor in the agriculture sector. We then lay out the Rainforest Alliance’s approach to […]
Youth Inclusion and Engagement Enabling Sustainable Livelihood for Young People in Rural Communities
For all individuals, that crucial transition period between childhood dependence and adult independence has a cascading impact on their entire future—not only shaping the course of their lives, but also those of their families and the communities to which they belong. A successful youth transition produces an adult who has the knowledge, resources, and skills […]